International Journal of Business Communication

Today's typical executive possesses many of the characteristics of a dynamic system in performing his managerial role. His inputs are streams of information which he must combine to frame problems and make decisions (his output). His total intellect-education, experience, intelligence, and personality—form a system to guide the decision-making process.

A survey of College of Business graduates at Northern Illinois University in 1970 revealed the number and length of their course reports, their attitudes toward their writing, and the extent of their plagiarism.

For this study, 105 AACSB professors and 50 corporate executives have given their opinions about college training in business communication. Findings of the survey indicate that a majority of both professors and executives agree as to the value of courses such as Principles of Business Communication, Business Report Writing, and others.

This study investigates the business communication responsibilities of certi fied professional secretares. One of its most interesting findings is the large number of secretaries who regularly compose business communications.

There are many unanswered questions about content in the business communi cations course. This study on the subject (performed in the state colleges of California in November, 1970) is particularly interesting for the data indicating frequency of topics dealt with in current business communication courses.